I have previously posted about A Day with MGR (As an actor). Today post is A day with MGR (As Chief Minister).

Magazine name is unknown, the article was three part, I got only two parts. A day with Chief Minister MGR begins in the early hours of 11th December 1977. The reporters arrived at his Ramavaram residence and came to know that Chief Minister MGR was ready to meet them and that he had got up from the bed by 4.30 am for the preparation of the report and after that he his now doing exercises.

By 8 am MGR begins his day by conversing with his party members and his fans. He questioned them that how well the Government plan is progressing in the rain affected area. (Most of the Chief Ministers will ask the Collector or the Officials of the concerned region, but not the people who is suffering, this is one method of getting the real news from the public , this happened in 11.12.1977 that is 4 month old in office as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu – MGR was always thinking about the people, this is one reason why MGR is still number 1 Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu)

MGR’s help to Kalaivanar’s family

It is common knowledge that MGR is known for his humanism. He extended his magnanimity to his friends and artistes who had fallen into bad times. So, one may not be greatly surprised by his gesture towards Kalaivanar’s family after his death. But theirs was a unique relationship surpassing the physical and temporal.

After Kalaivanar’s death, MGR was a like a godfather to Kalaivanar’s family. If he undertook the responsibility of the marriages of all of Kalaivanar’s children – ie. Kittapa, Shanmugam Nallathambi, Kumaran, Vadiva, Kasthuri and Padmini, it reveals the deep affection he had for Kalaivanar. Not only did he conduct the marriages but was also involved as if they were his own family weddings. He warmed the hearts of Kalaivanar’s family with his emotional involvement. He gave the feeling that they need not feel obliged, but they deserved to be treated well because they were Kalaivanar’s descendants. An unfathomable depth of love indeed!

MGR undertook to educate Nallathambi, son of Kalaivanar. MGR is said to have advised Nallathambi that his father (NSK) earned in crores and paid taxes in crores, but ultimately left nothing for his family. So it is only education that can be inseparable from one. Following his words Nallathambi went on to become a successful engineer later on.

MGR continued to give financial support every month and whenever there was a pressing need.

When Mathura Bhavanam, constructed by Kalaivanar in the year 1941, was auctioned due to unpaid debts, MGR stepped into the scene. He recovered the property with his own money and handed it over to the family, who still have possession of the house.

MGR also had great respect and regard for Kalaivanar. In 1977 MGR became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. On Kalaivanar’s death anniversary function in 1978, MGR said that Kalaivanar had contributed a lot towards society. He made special mention of the fact that it was Kalaivanar who had taught him the subtilties of politics when he was just 17. He said that it was unfortunate that Kalaivanar was no more. For, if he had been alive, Kalaivanar would have been the Chief Minister and he (MGR) would have served him.

I thank Mathuram Nallathambi who consented to publish the words from his website.

From 1978 to till date every year MGR acted movies are re-released frequently than any other actors movies. Is this is a myth (false run as mentioned by someone in the Net).

Here are some of the movie rates for the re-release, these rates are quoted by the Meeran Sahib Street Film Distributors, Chennai-2. Some of the rates quoted by the officials from AVM Productions, Diamond Pictures, Divya Films, SV Films, Anand Pictures, Shoukathbai and Good luck movies.

Regular show means 3 shows per day. Movie Rent inclusive of Print and posters for one week.

Rajnikanth Movies:

Nallavanku Nallavan – Rs.3,000 for regular show (3 shows) for one week.

Murattu Kalai – Rs.3,000 for regular show.

Ejamaan – Rs.5,000 for regular show (1,500 for single show)

Pokkiri Raja – Rs.3,000 for regular show.

Kamalhassan movies:

Thungathae Thambi Thungathae – Rs.5000 for regular show.

Sagalakala Vallavan – Rs.5000 for regular show.

Vazhvae mayam – Rs.3000 for regular show.

( For single show Rs.1500 to 2000)

Sivaji Ganesan Movies:

Uyarntha Manithan – Rs.2000 for regular show

Sorgam – Rs.2000 for regular show

Rajapart Rangadurai – Rs.2000 for regular show

Pachai Villaku – Rs.1000 for regular show

Parthal Pasi Theerum – Rs.1000 for regular show

Thanga Pathakam – Rs.3000 for regular show

Vasantha Malligai Rs.3000 for regular show (single show Rs.1000)

Uttama Puthiran Rs.2000

MGR Movies:

Ragasiya Police 115 – Rs.10,000 for regular show.

Kudieruntha Kovil – Rs.10,000 for regular show.

Kavalkaran (Black and white movie) Rs.10,000 for regular show.

Thai Sollai Thatathey (Black and White) – Rs.7,000 for regular show.

Periya Idathu Penn (Black and White) – Rs.7,000 for regular show.

For single show it is Rs.3,000 for all the above MGR movie.

For the 3 Emgeeyar Pictures movies the rent is in Lakhs.

Here is the myth buster why MGR movie is a Gold Mine.

Theater rent for One week:

Natraj Rs.40,000

Pandian Rs.45,000

Broadway Rs.40,000

Mahalakshmi Rs.50,000

Bharath Rs.1,75,000

Maharani Rs.2,00,000

Lakshmi – Rs.50,000

Muralikrishna – Rs.52,000

Albert – Rs.3,00,000

Annai Abirami – Rs.1,00,000

Abirami – 50% of the collection

These are the theatres were MGR movies are released frequently. The rent for film print is low but the rent for the theater is higher. Many movies were not re-released because of this factor of high theater rent. And the those who come to theater are people belonging to B and C category. This is the main reason why MGR movies are still going strong.

115 of MGR Movies (as Hero) all of them were running in theaters from 1977 to 1987, at present out of 115 movies 107 movies are screened all over Tamil Nadu, but some 30 films negative were lost and they have only print.

Ayirathil Oruvan was released in Annai Abirami recently and collected 1,56,000. Albert collection of Nadodi Mannan is well known. Abirami and Albert are A center theatres. MGR movies collect well in A,B and C centres.

The movie was released in 136 centres in 1 year including North and South India and overseas.

The first Tamil picture and first MGR movie to collect 1 Crore 5 lakhs in his first release. Total number of people watched this movie is 3 Crores and 40 lakhs, highest in India for any language movie at that time.

First Tamil and first MGR movie to cross 50 days in 128 centres in his first release. First time a Tamil movie and a MGR movie to cross 100 days in all major centres in India and abroad.

First Tamil and first MGR movie to cross 100 days in 40 theatres the record was unbeaten till 1996 by a colour movie. Even Emgeeyar Pictures Nadodi Mannan, Adimai Penn and Ulagam Sutrum Valiban, sister concern Sathya Movies – Deiva Thai, Kavalkaran, Rickshawkaran and Ithayakani did not beat this 100 days in 40 centres for the first release mega record created by MGR’s Madurai Veeran. Black and White Madurai Veeran movie still holds the mega record of 100 days in 40 centres unbeaten till date. The movie was released 53 years back.

First Tamil and first MGR movie to cross 200 days in Madurai Central theater the capacity was 1800.

MGR Fan Murugan Dharmalingam forwarded this paper cut to me on 28th February 2009. This was taken from Dinamalar a Tamil daily.

Delhi Ganesh narrates how MGR touched him even though he was Hardcore Nadigarthilagam fan. Enlarge the picture to read.

RASIGAN IN KALAINGAR T.V.

Previous week I was not able to watch the Rasigan program telecasted in Kalaingar T.V. This program is one were various Actors fans participate. This week the continuation of MGR Fans program. The program was conducted with help of Anaithulaga MGR Pothunala Mandram. Various MGR organizations participated including Kalaiventhan MGR Bakthargal and Ponmanachemmal Sri MGR Bakthargal. The Fans were around 100, out of these 25 of them are in the age group of 30 (most of them born after MGR became the Chief Minister) and 40 members around the age group of 40.

9th day of February 2009 time 9 pm I was giving finishing touches to the post Rare images of MGR for our blog. At that time some one named Kamal entered MGR Chat room and asked me to provide information, how MGR will begin his speech. I said it in one line but he asked me to give it in detail. The time was running out for me for the post that I promised to put it online.

With dinner calling I started to search for and got MGR’s speech CD paused the prelude of his speech and noted it down. After my dinner I sent the copy of MGR’s speech to him. He gave email reply. His full name Kamalakannan Narasimhan, his wife name Ponmozhi Kamalakannan, he was blessed with twins one Anbarasan.K (studying L.K.G.) and Mahalakshmi.K. His school Vishwa Bharathi Matric Hr.Sec. School, Velachery. Why he asked for MGR speech because his son is taking part in Fancy dress competition. He has chosen to wear the dress of MGR with fur cap and dark glasses and he has to give a small speech like MGR before the audience.

I forgot the whole program, yesterday I received email from him with attachment. He has sent 5 photos of his son and daughter, the function and the school to publish in our Blog.

Most of the fancy dress competition children dress like National leaders – Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Lal Nehru. If girl Jhansi Rani etc. See for yourselves what they have dressed like. Mahakavi Bharathiyar, Subash Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekanda and new addition MGR.